Courtwatching is where trained volunteers go to their local magistrates' courts, observe criminal hearings and write down what they see. Anyone can courtwatch! You do not need any knowledge or expertise in law or criminal justice to be a courtwatcher. You just need to be passionate about justice and equality, and keen to create positive change in your community. We will provide you with all the training you need on what happens at court, what to look out for and how to document what happens. Training will be online and likely take place over two sessions. There will also be regular check-ins and debriefs where you can talk with the CourtWatch team and other volunteers about what you saw and heard.
Key information
- Day: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- Time: Criminal hearings take place on weekdays between 10am and 5pm, with a break for lunch 1-2pm, and Saturday mornings 10am - 1pm.
Within the times above, and once you’ve completed the training, you can go to court when it is most convenient to you. You might want to buddy up with another volunteer for your first visit while you learn the ropes; we can help arrange this.
You can courtwatch any time from when you’ve completed your training to 30 November 2026. - Frequency: Weekly
- Cost: Free
- Location: Tameside Magistrates' Court, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7TP (click to open map in new window)
Additional Information
- Accessible for Disabled People: Yes
- Accessible for People with Language Needs: No